OKAY PLAYER's review of NOMADIC MASSIVE 2nd LP

Group:Nomadic Massive
Album title: Nomadic Massive
2009
74%
Posted on 12/21/2009 (www.okayplayer.com)

Hip-hop was global well before the arrival of DJ Khaled. In fact, with roots in the Jamaican dance hall and sound system culture, hip-hop music was global the moment it was birthed in the Bronx. Still, the rapid evolution of the genre has occurred almost entirely within U.S. borders. More recently, with the success of artists like Wyclef Jean,Michael Franti, K’Naan, and M.Anifest, internationally flavored hip-hop has started to carve a niche for itself, and it is within this tradition that we find Montreal-based Nomadic Massive. With their latest self-titled studio effort, Nomadic Massive sets out to produce a truly global hip-hop record, incorporating musical traditions from all over the planet. While clearly an ambitious goal, Nomadic Massive’s global aspiration serves as a double-edged sword, providing some exciting musical moments, but also spreading the final product a little thin.

Nomadic Massive is all over the place. All sorts of languages are spoken, a ton of instruments are played, and countless musical traditions make an appearance. From the acoustic guitar groove and Portuguese rapping of “Au 21ie Siecle,” to the electric blues of “Higher,” Nomadic Massive leaves no musical stone unturned. The lyrics address everything from the needs of developing nations to nothing (“Non-Sensical Bars” is a track of exactly that), and the 10-piece ensemble is made up of a diverse collection of instrumentalists that are clearly comfortable in a variety of settings. While there really isn’t much to complain about on Nomadic Massive, there isn’t a ton to praise either. Nomadic Massive manages to create a beautifully multicultural aesthetic, but fails to establish a musical identity outside of its expansive worldview.

On their own, many of the songs on Nomadic Massive are creative pieces of globally conscious hip-hop, but as a whole they suffer from musical schizophrenia. If Nomadic Massive could condense their multinational influences into a more cohesive vision, the results would be breathtaking. For now, Nomadic Massive serves as a collection of positive, thoughtful, and globally conscious songs that are a welcome addition to the burgeoning world of internationally informed hip-hop.

-Matt Scroggins